Professor Robert Broughton, who followed Banting in 1962, brought a strong focus on soil and water resource engineering. Under his leadership, the department launched a vigorous graduate program and expanded its research profile. Professor Broughton, together with Professor Pierre Jutras became renowned leaders of the drainage industry in Canada, and conducted extensive research and teaching on subsurface drainage in Quebec, and internationally. They initiated the first course to train drainage contractors in Quebec. Professor Broughton then expanded this teaching effort, to deliver an intensive three-week International Drainage Course, every two years until his retirement.
In 1956, the department introduced a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Agricultural Engineering—the third such program in Canada. The first Ph.D. was awarded in 1969. These milestones marked the department’s transition into a modern, research-driven unit. Much of this is due to the leadership of Professors Robert Broughton and John Ogilvie, who served as department chairs during the 60s and 70s. Professor John Ogilvie was an expert teacher and researcher in farm buildings, agricultural waste management, and computer simulation and optimization techniques. Professor Ogilvie was an early pioneer to push computer science in the teaching and research programs of the department. He left the department chairmanship in 1977, to become Director of the School of Engineering of the University of Guelph. Professor Edward McKyes became department chair in 1977, serving for two terms until 1987.
Professor Russell Halyk and Alfred Marquis were also staff members in the early 1970s, teaching engineering systems, and agricultural structures, respectively.
Facilities evolved alongside academic growth. An Agricultural Engineering Building was constructed in 1946 and served as the departmental hub until the construction of the Macdonald-Stewart Complex in 1979. Despite having to relocate multiple times, the department maintained its strong academic identity.
The Technical Services Building (TSB) was constructed in 1976, and all shop work was moved to the TSB.
The B.Eng. (Agricultural Engineering) was approved in 1971. This degree was replaced with B.Eng. (Bioresource Engineering) in 2005.